Byron Howard Email & Phone Number

Orient, Oh, Us

New York, Ny, Us

Provided executive oversight to all functional management areas (Operations, Human Resources, Customer Service, Safety, Quality, and Inventory) while managing distribution center (DC) P&L, $25 million annual budget, and 215 employees. Developed and managed operating and capital budgets. Provided support and guidance to ensure departments were aligned and moving in sync toward KPIs, annual goals, and vision. Managed the director of operations accountable for day-to-day operations. Negotiated contracts with vendors to facilitate building renovation.* Served as key leader during post-PGI acquisition of IPC, acting as voice of “One PGI Team” in achieving goal of resetting culture from vision of IPC to PGI. Led initiatives involving integration of payroll, HR policies, and WMS/ERP systems, along with exhaustive communication with personnel on new corporate environment.- Redesigned facility layout and standardized picking method into one with set floor static pick location. Eliminated air picking and improved monthly inventory control accuracy from 95% to 98.7%.- Led strategic development of PGI’s “hourly career path” that detailed how employees can grow within organization.* Transitioned several key accounts from legacy IPC business from Grove City location to new Lockbourne site. Coordinated 500 shipments from old to new site to transition business. Led movement of 16,000 pallets and 700 truck loads of product from one DC to the other, resulting in Napa, Advance, and legacy IPC businesses achieving full functionality.* Provided planning, strategy, and leadership that positioned company to successfully fulfill 2.8 million units of orders received in single instance despite setup to fulfill only 100,000 units per day during launch of Advance business. Implemented strategy that positioned company in front of business in 5 weeks, far ahead of plan. Engaged outside firm (Capstone Logistics) to staff second shift to assist with meeting volume demand.

Oversaw daily DC operations, full P&L, and $7 million annual operating budget as senior site executive while managing 4 direct reports. Directed functional areas that included Operations, Logistics, Finance, Human Resources, Customer Service, Safety, Quality, and Inventory. Supported functional direct report managers and ensure alignment with DC/company goals and vision. Met with team members to ensure accomplishment of current and future targets, as well as individual development. Completed slotting analysis and pick line reset.* Took over Ohio DC 16 months after its initial less-than-stellar start-up performance, where it continually operated in triage mode and was 2 weeks behind on packing and shipping.- Turned around site lacking structure, team vision, and focus on core goals by replacing all site leadership within 6 months and transitioning from full-time to temp ratio of 30%/70% to 75%/25%, resulting in increased productivity, quality, and morale.- Reshaped ownership’s operations mindset to focus on distribution KPIs, personnel/HR management, and route-to-market strategies.* Championed several efficiency improvement projects that led to 175% growth in revenue while maintaining total distribution costs of 10% of sales.* Drove $200,000 operational efficiency savings through WMS reconfiguration, pick line redesign, air picking reduction, and putaway direction.

Sioux City, Ia, Us

Executive administrator overseeing complete scope of operations throughout 3 campuses with 5 facilities (totaling 800,000 square-feet); accountable for $25 million P&L, including $1.1 million capital budget. Circulated campuses to coach and ensure performance consistency and continuity of 3 general managers responsible for operations, logistics, finance, human resources, customer service, safety, quality, and inventory; mentored on operating management best practices.Address and adjust to KPIs and quality standards; approve accounts payables and respond to delinquent receivables; collaborate with human resources on staff hiring and development, including assurance employees follow policies, processes and procedures; advocate and deliver culture of safe work practices.* Established strong relationships with highly-visible major accounts, including Smithfield; Land O Lakes; Lamb Weston; Aunt Millies; Campbells; Tyson; General Mills; JR Simplot; Fresh Mark; Restaurant Depot; ConAgra; Smith Dairy; Rich Products; Hormel; Kraft Heinz.* Facilitated over $200,000 cost avoidance through development of rail road demurrage language to protect from cost associated with customer base utilizing rail transportation; positioned language into rate agreement customer letters, enabling cost avoidance.* Enabled 6% YOY improvement in EBITDA through introduction of labor expectations, including deployment of High Jump LMS driving 11% improvement in pallets per hour, reducing direct labor expense.* Reduced TRIR 30% through introduction of Behavior Based Safety Observation program focused on safety breaches.* Minimized payroll to actual work hours to <5% variance through guidance of regional LMS indirect job code pilot with IT.* Led cost reductions in labor efficiency and utilization; racking layout and redesign; product zoning; additionally, strategically used capital budget to improve facilities, material handling equipment (MHE) and refrigeration equipment.

Oo

Accountable for P&L for food grade site operating 24/7 in distribution of petcare goods. Manage $20 million annual variable and fixed operating budget. Oversee functional management, including operations, logistics, finance, human resources, customer service, safety, quality, and inventory. Interface with customers and serve as primary point for Schenker organization. Serviced global brands such as Walmart, PetSmart, Sam’s Club, Meijer, Target, and Dollar General.Supported 7 functional managers and 225 indirect reports to ensure departments’ alignment and movement toward annual goals and vision. Proactively managed adverse trends and ensure tracking measures are in place to meet / exceed standard costs. Submitted capital budget justifications proposals to corporate leadership. Conducted training and development sessions to develop staff.

Oo

Managed 980,000 sq. ft. dry and refrigerated products warehouse. Provided leadership for 6 operations areas (Kraft Freezer, Kraft Refrigerated, Nabisco / Mondelez RDC, Nabisco / Mondelez Direct Store Delivery, Kraft Dry, and Yard). Ensured compliance to corporate and customer health, safety and environmental requirements. Worked with Customer Service, Transportation, Routing, HR, and Finance on operational aspects of business. Made capital expenditure recommendations with cost justifications. Monitored KPI and provided operational deliverables at or below budget. Directed 3 functional managers to ensure department performance optimization.Accountable for operating budget (payroll, supplies, material handling equipment, yard / spotting equipment). Manage supply of inventory to meet acceptable customer service levels. Reviewed facility purchase order process and ensured invoice accuracy. Managed warehouse zoning to maximize capacity and minimize outside storage use. Ensured compliance with government and company safety, security, and quality programs and procedures.

Chicago, Il, Us

Oversaw operation for 510,000 sq. ft. dry products warehouse. Planned and executed variable and fixed operating budgets of $12 million. Accountable for staffing to meet conversion of case product to price list and custom-built modules. Tracked trends and offer recommendations to adverse metrics. Managed purchase order and invoice review processes; communicated justification of expense and code costs to respective budgetary accounts. Manage days of supply of dry product inventory. Managed warehouse zoning and led initiatives to maximize performance of assets, people, and equipment. Communicated monthly KPIs to internal and external stakeholders. Ensured regulatory compliance. Created stretch assignments and development plans.

Chicago, Il, Us

Provided facility leadership and direction in areas of safety, sanitation, quality, cost control, customer service, and maintenance. Made recommendations regarding capital expenditures. Reviewed invoices for accuracy and justified expenses. Provided managerial oversight to outside storage facility, with focus on exceeding customer expectations for accuracy, quality and timeliness. Conducted analysis of budget versus actual expenditures; justified variances. Maintained sanitation program and monitored outside pest control agency. Ensured security of building and premises. Developed strong, self-directed frontline leadership team capable. Facilitated communication between hourly work force and management. Monitored customer claims and inventory accuracy on weekly basis.

Chicago, Il, Us

Oversaw daily Refrigerated operations of 150,000 sq. ft. facility and managed Afternoon and Weekend teams consisting of 30+ hourly and 2 salaried associates. Facilitated growth and utilization of HPWS concepts throughout Kraft complex. Supported and developed empowered work environment. Developed and implemented site policies and procedures.